On 16 September, Chinese and Philippine vessels collided near the Scarborough Shoal. The Philippines reported that Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons, damaging a Filipino vessel and injuring a crew member. China accused the Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels. The incident follows China’s recent announcement to designate part of the shoal as a national nature reserve, prompting a diplomatic protest from the Philippines, which calls the area Bajo de Masinloc. Both countries have clashed in the past, and the incident adds to ongoing maritime tensions, raising the risk of miscalculation and wider regional instability.